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LOCATION
Altitude
Distance
Population
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2,230 meters a.s.l.
1,020 km. from Lima.
180 km. from Colca
Valle. 400 km. from Tacna.
619,156 inhabitants
(city). |
GETTING
THERE
A branch the South
Pan-American road leads up from the coast to Arequipa connecting
it with Lima and Tacna. There are 1,020 krn (632 miles) between
Arequipa and Lima and 400 km (248 miles) between Arequipa and Tacna.
By air, there are daily 1
-hour flights from Lima to Arequipa, 30-minute flights
from Cusco, and 20-minute flights from Tacna or Juliaca.
The trip from Puno to
Arequipa by the South Railroad takes 10 hours, leaving on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Arequipa is the capital
of the Province, Department and Region of the same name.
It is located at Z230 meters (7,314 feet) a.s.l. it is
the second largest city of Peru. One of Its main
attractions is the fact that Arequipa has probably the
nicest weather of Peru with an average of 300 sunny days
a year. The city keeps its ancient architectural
treasures, but also shows a modern side with many
luxurious hotels and casinos. Arequipa gives tourists the
opportunity to spend a pleasant time in the city and its
outskirts. It is also the departing point for wider
circuits. Once in the city, the
Plaza de Armas, the 'La Compañia de Jesus' church, which
has cloisters with ashlar (volcanic white stone or
'sillar") arcades, and the renowned Santa Catalina
Convent should not be missed. On the outskirts of: the
city some districts stand out because of their beauty,
like Cayma, which temple was built in 1730, or Yanahuara,
which belvedere offers a great view of the city
surrounded by volcanoes, such as Cachani, 1,076 meters
(3,529 feet) a.s.l.
Also important are the
Yura Chapel, the San Lazaro quarter the Sabandía Mill
and the Añazhuayco quarries, from where the ashlar
('sillar') is extracted. Arequipa is known as 'La Ciudad
Blanca" (White City) because of the color of its
ashlar buildings.
THE
COLCA VALLEY
To the north of Arequipa is the
higher course of the Colca river valley which deep canyon is
renowned among rafters. The section previous to the canyon
consists of an encased valley that runs from east to west,
beginning in the cold puna and running down to warmer regions,
showing its great scenic beauty and cultural attractiveness.
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